Alan
and Dad's Surprise Visit to Garden Valleyto see Rachael on the Twins' Birthday

In Loving Memory ofRachaelElizabethBarlow1983-2004

They had never experienced a birthday apart. Ever.Alan wasn't about to let this one be the first.The idea and its planning were all his.(more info about this on the rachaelswritingsandfyis
page)

Dinner at Cheddar's in Tyler, TX

Dad cannot believe it has been 20 years!

These are NON-alcoholic drinks, thank you very much!

They shared a full rack of ribs!

Alan and I brought a cake down with us for the surprise (due to time constraints, this was
one of those years we had to buy, instead of make, her cake...never quite as
special!). They've always had their own birthday cakes growing up. Alan got
his cake later when we had a little family celebration after we went down to pick up
Rachael and bring her home for Christmas break.